Netanyahu arrives in India, welcomed at airport by PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised his Israeli counterpart with a personal welcome upon the latter's arrival at the airport. During Netanyahu's six-day visit, the two leaders will discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in India on Sunday and was greeted with a warm hug by his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, at the airport.

Netanyahu is in India on a six-day visit, during which the two leaders will seek to deepen ties between the countries in various fields, including trade and defense. He is also expected to visit the state of Gujarat, Modi's home state.

"Welcome to India, my friend," Modi tweeted shortly after Netanyahu's arrival. "Your visit to India is historic and special. It will further cement the close friendship between our nations."

Netanyahu tweeted, "Thank you to my good friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who surprised me with a personal welcome at the airport upon my arrival in India. Together we will bring the relations between our countries to new heights!"

Thank you to my good friend, Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi , who surprised me with a personal welcome at the airport upon my arrival in India. Together we will bring the relations between our countries to new heights! 🇮🇱🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/bPZftC4caF

Netanyahu is accompanied by his wife, Sara. Though his son, Yair, was officially invited as well, he has chosen not to join the trip amid a public scandal surrounding the publication of an embarrassing tape from 2015, in which he is heard making lewd remarks about women after a night-out at a Tel Aviv strip club.